Just as Rocks, Barbel, and the others were eagerly waiting for Ignis to speak, Ignis didn't continue. Instead, he seriously announced the start of the banquet.
This made Rocks so angry his knuckles cracked, veins bulging on his forehead.
Even Newgate felt like hitting someone!
"Hey! My Great Strategist Ignis, my Vice Captain Ignis, please tell us! You'll ruin our appetites like this."
Barbel had completely dropped his arrogance and, like Sunbell, started calling him Vice Captain.
Anyway, even their boss Rocks was addressed directly by name, without needing to call him Captain.
So even if Rocks said there was no such position as Vice Captain, they could ignore it.
They liked calling the Great Strategist "Vice Captain." What could Rocks do about it!
The only rule on the ship was that might makes right.
Other than that, they could do whatever they liked.
Sunbell also looked at Ignis with longing; after all, who didn't want to get stronger?
Hearing Barbel's address for Ignis, Rocks's eyes practically blazed with fire. He finally understood this little brat's goal.
He suddenly really wanted to beat Ignis up!
But a method that could increase the probability of awakening Conqueror's Haki, even the Davy family needed that.
Rocks wanted the Davy family to become stronger too.
Then he wouldn't have to fight alone, searching for strong partners and subordinates outside.
Right now, apart from him, the other Davy members were indeed quite lacking.
Centuries of that kind of life had dulled the clan's kingly bloodline.
Rocks's father had a strong physique and build, but now he liked wearing a straw hat and farming vegetables, like an old farmer.
Newgate finally understood why this guy Ignis could manipulate Rocks, a monster who had killed a Marine Admiral.
So Ignis was the Rocks Pirates' Great Strategist, the brains!
Sunbell had just quietly told him that this guy Ignis could see the future.
He had said Newgate was destined to come aboard as the strongest executive.
If Newgate were captain, he would also greatly value a talent like Ignis.
Not only could he see the future and find strong crewmates, but he also had methods for getting stronger.
It was practically cheating!
"Ah, Barbel, you and Sunbell calling me that, aren't you just getting me beaten up by Captain Rocks?"
"Call me Great Strategist. There's no Vice Captain position on the ship."
"Newgate, you'll be a master swordsman in the future. You'll obtain a Supreme Grade Blade..."
Ignis spread his hands, smiling as he spoke to Barbel and Sunbell, verbally and righteously rejecting the title of Vice Captain.
He also casually mentioned Newgate.
Newgate's ears perked up, an eyebrow slightly raised. He would obtain a Supreme Grade Blade in the future?
This feeling... it was oddly pleasant, like winning a prize.
No wonder Rocks and Barbel were manipulated by Ignis. It seemed he himself was also being manipulated.
"I don't care. I just like calling the Great Strategist 'Vice Captain.' Rocks can't control that."
Barbel spoke very decisively, though he did sneak a glance at Rocks. He was also afraid of getting another beating.
But a beating was nothing compared to a method for awakening Conqueror's Haki.
"Ahem, whether it's Great Strategist or Vice Captain, it just shows how much we value you, Ignis."
Newgate spoke seriously, implicitly acknowledging Ignis's identity and position. He also wanted to know the shortcut to awakening Conqueror's Haki and the name of his Supreme Grade Blade.
Rocks said nothing, just grinning as he looked at Ignis.
It was clear he really wanted to beat Ignis up.
But he also couldn't bear to give up the method for increasing the probability of awakening Conqueror's Haki.
Ignis didn't continue provoking Rocks; otherwise, he was really afraid Rocks's fists would become even more powerful and harder.
"Hey, it's all for the growth of the Rocks Pirates. Why would I hold anything back?"
"The way to increase the probability of awakening Conqueror's Haki is to face your fears and break through them!"
"The simplest way is to kill a Celestial Dragon!!"
"In a certain era, Captain Dede of the Big Daddy Pirates and Captain Higashino Araryu of the Wild Dragon Crew liked to take their subordinates hunting Celestial Dragons. And most of the senior executives on their ships awakened Conqueror's Haki."
"Nowadays, people all over the world fear the World Government and fear the Celestial Dragons."
"Kill a Celestial Dragon, and your resolve can transform. You might have the chance to become a first-generation Conqueror's Haki awakener with the qualities of a king."
"Especially you fish-men and many other races, your fear of the Celestial Dragons is ingrained in your bones."
"Alright, now you have the method. It's up to you whether you dare to try it."
Ignis looked mischievously at Rocks, Barbel, and the others.
Sure enough, Barbel and Sunbell's faces changed drastically. They had never imagined it would be such a terrifying method.
They did indeed fear the World Government and the Celestial Dragons.
After all, countless of their people had been reduced to Celestial Dragon slaves, and they couldn't resist or change any of it.
And killing a Celestial Dragon, wouldn't that bring trouble to Fish-Man Island?
"Vohahaha! This is indeed a good method."
"But, Dede and Toyo, what era were those strong guys from? I'd really like to meet them."
Rocks laughed heartily, licking his lips with his long tongue, his eyes showing an even greater desire to meet such domineering heroes.
"Kill a Celestial Dragon? That's truly a crazy move!"
Newgate raised an eyebrow, feeling this didn't quite suit his path.
But he was confident he could awaken Conqueror's Haki on his own before ever meeting a Celestial Dragon.
Having a monster like Rocks by his side filled him with a strong desire to become stronger.
"Barbel, Sunbell, don't overthink it. People always change. The more you experience, the stronger you get. No need to worry about it now."
"When you possess the determination to face a Celestial Dragon head-on, maybe you'll have already completed your transformation!"
"Now, let the banquet begin!"
Ignis laughed, and various foods floated in the air, creating a 'mountain of meat and forest of wine.' They indulged, enjoying the food and drink within easy reach.
"Hmph, Celestial Dragons? I'll kill them sooner or later!"
Barbel bluffed, not wanting to lose face in front of Rocks and Newgate.
Sunbell continued to be low-key and honest. With these monsters watching over him, maybe he didn't need to become a king.
But Ignis's words and this method were deeply etched into their minds.
Rocks remembered the names Dede and Toyo. He had to find a way to get Ignis to reveal more information.
Too bad he was destined never to meet them, because Ignis had made them up.
Newgate felt the title 'Big Daddy' wasn't bad. If he ever had children or subordinates in the future, he'd have them call him 'Pops'.
This new crewmate banquet was turned out pretty well. Everyone was relatively happy.
Newgate, the new guy, gradually loosened up, turning into a big drunkard.
The next day, Ignis actively sought information about Sleepy Town, while Rocks had already targeted the next guy to find.
Shiki, a pirate-yakuza with the Paramecia Float-Float Fruit ability.
Once they recruited this guy, combined with Ignis's Gravity ability, their Gibeck's Sword could sail even faster.
They could speed up the search for other strong individuals and complete the formation of the Rocks Pirates.